Representative Charles Rangel. AFP PHOTO

"This is a very, very emotional issue with the president," Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, told a reception at the Capitol for business and human rights groups opposed to the US embargo. "It really surprises me."

A longtime critic of US trade restrictions on Cuba, Rangel said his efforts will get a boost from the new Democratic majority in Congress. He didn't say which piece of tax or trade legislation, which his committee oversees, would include the measure to allow more Americans to visit Cuba.

Rangel, a New York Democrat, introduced a measure January 24 to end the US ban on travel to Cuba. He and others say they will offer other legislation to relax limits on sending money to Cuba and ease payment restrictions on the sale of farm goods.